PCC meeting Thursday 17th June
Reminder – The first PCC meeting following our Annual general meeting is in church at 7:30pm. Social distancing rules will apply.
Looking forward to all meeting up together.
United Benefice of Altham and Clayton-le-Moors
Second Sunday after Trinity and Family Service
This service is live in church, with all the usual COVID restrictions, but it will be streamed so if you are unable to attend you can view it online.Now most of the words will also appear when you view the service on line so it will be easier to follow the service.
However, below are the day’s readings plus the intercessions for reference, as there will not appear on screen.
First reading: Ezekiel 17: 22 – 24
2 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. 24 All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.
“‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’”
Second reading: Mark 4 : 26 – 34
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
On-line giving
Many of you give through the weekly church envelopes, which obviously is not an option at the moment. Others may feel they wish to make an extra donation towards the continual running costs of the church. If you would like to do so, an easy way in the current circumstances is click here and it will take you to use our on-line giving link.
The church remains very grateful to those who are continuing to support our work, and towards meeting our ongoing costs, which are still ongoing even though the church is closed.
Thank you.
Charity Savings Jar
Christmas donations
Some people like to make a donation to the work of the church in thanks giving at Christmas. If you would like to do so, an easy way in the current circumstances is to use the following link –
The church remains very grateful to those who are continuing to support our work, and towards meeting our ongoing costs.
Wishing you all a joyful Christmas.
We are offering a brand new short act of worship especially suited for families. These will take place on the second Sunday of each month between 2:00 – 2:30pm in church.
The first of these new family services will be on the 13th September.
Booking will be essential via this link . Please book ONE ticket per family / bubble. Please give priority to families for this service.
At present we can’t share refreshments or sing, (though we can do actions), but we can enjoy being in church to worship our Heavenly Father.
An Order for Night Prayer (Compline)
The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day.
Preparation
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
All Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
All who made heaven and earth.
A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.
The following or other suitable words of penitence may be used
All Most merciful God, we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins, heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
All Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever.
Amen.
Alleluia.
The following or another suitable hymn may be said or sung
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death.
The Word of God
Psalmody
One or more of Psalms 4, 91 and 134 may be used daily.
Or Sundays Psalm 104:1, 21-33, Monday Psalm 86, Tuesday Psalm 143, Wednesday Psalm 31:1-5, 19-end, Thursday Psalm 16, Friday Psalm 139:1-18, Saturday Psalm 91
Scripture Reading
One of the following short lessons or another suitable passage
Sunday: You, O Lord, are in the midst of us and we are called by your name; leave us not, O Lord our God. (Jeremiah 14.9)
Monday: Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. (Isaiah 30:15)
Tuesday: Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:28-30)
Wednesday: Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:6,7)
Thursday: Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in the faith. (1 Peter 5.8, 9)
Friday: God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. (1 Thess 5:9,10)
Saturday: A sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labours as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest. (Hebrews 4:9-11a)
The following responsory may be said
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
All Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
All I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
All Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
All Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Gospel Canticle: The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon)
All Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: ♦
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation ♦
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations ♦
and the glory of your people Israel.
All Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
All Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.
Prayers
Time for your own prayers of thanksgiving and intercession
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray, and drive far from it the snares of the enemy; may your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace, and may your blessing be always upon us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven
The Conclusion
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
All for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
All for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
All so do we look for you, O Christ.
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us;
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.
All Amen.
Common Worship: Daily Prayer is © Copyright Archbishops Council of the Church of England. Used by permission.
This Lent we are focussing on St John’s Gospel. It is a beautiful gospel with something for everyone – someone said it is “Deep enough for an elephant to swim and shallow enough for a child not to drown.”
Our Lent homegroups give the perfect opportunity to look at some of the great signs St John picks out to highlight who Jesus is and what he brings. Anyone is welcome to join the groups – choose whichever time suits you better. No prior experience or understanding is assumed, we’ll look at a passage together, aided by a simple study guide, and discuss our responses.
We have groups meeting in different homes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening. We also have a group meeting in church on Wednesday mornings, 11:15am followed by a soup lunch and a group meeting at Altham Church at 10:45 on Sundays.
Full details of venues are on the Lent leaflet available at church.
Dear Lord, Help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day.
Amen
A massive thank you and well done to the organising team, craft workers, window decorators and helpers for a stunning festival. Thanks also to all those who supported the event, brought along friends, attended the concert or Carl Service; bought produce or raffle tickets. All helped in making the festival a success.
Below are a few photos to try and capture the essence of the festival.
